The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF) is a local public not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Wawasee area watershed for present and future generations.
The Wawasee Watershed covers 23,618 acres including Wawasee, Syracuse, Bonar and Papakeechie lakes as well as ten lakes in the upper Turkey Creek sub watershed.
The Foundation was formed in 1991 to anticipate, search out, and solve threats to the Wawasee Area Watershed and to its water quality. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancement of the watershed and works hand-in-hand with property owner groups, the State Department of Natural Resources and other governmental and civic organizations that share its concerns. The Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) corporation, thus enabling it to provide tax advantages for gifts and grants.
Community support on Oakwood Group Pier and Dredging opposition
WACF appreciates the response to our earlier letter notifying the public of the public hearings with the DNR addressing dredging and the proposed group piers at Oakwood. WACF appreciates all who attended those hearings, those who spoke of their particular concerns, and those who had to stand at the back of the room for the two hour sessions.
Those who attended the dredging hearing were unanimous in opposition and revealed a dedication to preserve water quality and the health of our lakes today and in the future. Ecological and safety concerns were expressed citing many different reasons why the DNR should deny these requests.
Residents in communities throughout this area are awaiting the DNR response - either to disapprove or approve these requests. To support this effort to maintain water quality it is urged that individuals contact the DNR and urge them to deny the Oakwood group pier and dredging applications (Attn: Michael W. Neyer, P.E., Director, IDNR, Division of Water, 402 West Washington Street, W264, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Email: MNeyer@dnr.IN.gov)
Oakwood proposed Group Piers and Dredging
WACF is currently involved in challenging a proposal by Buckingham Co. for seven group piers and 248 boat slips in front of the Oakwood Inn. In October WACF initiated a petition for a public hearing and hired legal representation. Thank you to all who are supporting this effort.
In addition, and even more alarming, WACF is challenging a proposal by Todd Bowen to dredge 827' in front of the Oakwood Inn. WACF has initiated a petition for a public hearing on this request as well. These decisions are in the hands of the DNR and we will continue to pursue denials on both of these requests that are seriously threatening to the water quality of Wawasee.
The DNR has scheduled a Public Hearing on the dredging of 827' of Oakwood Park shoreline for Thursday, January 5, 2012, at 5:00pm in Meeting Room C of the Warsaw Community Public Library located at 310 E. Main Street in Warsaw, Indiana. If you have any questions concerning this public hearing, contact Alysson Oliger in the Technical Services Center at 317-234-1087 or 877-928-3755 or writ to aoliger@dnr.IN.gov. If you cannot attend the hearing, please let the DNR how you feel about dredging the lake bed.
